Remembrances

100th Infantry Battalion
50th Anniversary Celebration
1942 – 1992

“Remembrances” was published for the 50th anniversary celebration of the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion. The five day event was held from June 24 – June 28 in Honolulu, Hawaii and attended by many who traveled from the mainland and other islands. Senator Daniel Inouye, a 442nd veteran, was the keynote speaker at the banquet. On the last day, Reverend Israel Yost, who had served as chaplain during the whole period the 100th was in combat and had traveled from his home in Pennsylvania, delivered a memorial message.

Chaired by veteran Dr. Kenneth Otakagi, the anniversary committee raised $100,000 to produce this book of the battalion’s history and post war Club 100 years. Veterans Ben Tamashiro, Sakae Takahashi, Naoji Yamagata, Mike Tokunaga and Dr. Otagaki wrote many of the articles. Other major contributors to the book included graphic artist Harlan Yuhara, authors Thelma Chang and John Tsukano and retired Honolulu Star-Bulletin reporter Shirei Hirozawa. Dr. Franklin Odo, director of Ethnic Studies at the University of Hawaii, also was a contributor.

This book is a valuable resource as many veterans were available to provide their memories of the battalion’s history and identify the men in the photographs.